Out running some errands today, I passed by a school.
In front of the school was their sign, with the name of the school, and a place for cute sayings, important reminders of school events, whatever.
On the sign today was a saying that caught my attention, because it struck me as more than just a simple saying. It was more like an earnest plea to the human race.
It just said, “Make kindness normal.”
And immediately, I considered the implications of that simple statement. Does this even need to be said? Is kindness so abnormal, we actually need this reminder to bring it back to a level where it’s just what is expected?
And I knew full well the answer to both those questions: Yes.
I’ve noticed for years a steady erosion of kindness, manners, courtesy, civility, unselfishness; the things that separate the humans from the animals. Everybody’s all about ME; the hell with you.
And, just as the pace of global warming is accelerating, so has the erosion of these basic traits of humanity. From my vantage point, anyway. Whether on the freeway, in the store checkout line, at your kid’s soccer game or, most notably, in politics, there is simply no place for such displays of decency.
Make kindness normal.
Doesn’t seem like much to ask, does it?
Yet, in our current society, it sounds darn near impossible.
Nevertheless, I pledge to make it more normal in my life. Will you pledge to make it more normal in yours?
You never know; it may do us all some good to speak and act more kindly to each other.
I think we ought to try it.
just drive, will you? 
Larry, that is a terrific post. I am going to reblog and post to FB. Thanks for the encouragement.
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You’re welcome. Thanks for sharing.
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Reblogged this on QUEST and commented:
My friend Larry, in Texas, has timely thoughts on today’s society.
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You’re right … it is no longer the norm, else why would we be so surprised when somebody we pass by smiles and says “Hey, how are ya?” But, it does happen, and a smile is usually the icebreaker, though I have smiled at some stranger only to have them look at me as if I had two heads! I think society at large has forgotten how to connect one-on-one, for they are so used to connecting via electronic gadgets. Sigh. Good post, good thoughts.
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Thanks very much. I think you’re right about all the disconnect. It’s sad.
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I’m reminded of Anne Herbert’s “Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.” Great and much needed post … not just now, but always.
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Thanks, Terry. That’s a good quote.
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I’ve thought the same thing lately. There is a “be kind” campaign on my local ABC affiliate in the States, and I can’t help but think of how kindness seems to have become so abnormal that we must have campaigns to normalize kindness.
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Sad, isn’t it?
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